Doup took over the Assessors' Department a year ago following on the heels of Lauren Elliott. She left the city’s employ in June 2012 to take a higher paying position in Greenwich, Conn. Elliott had replaced former Principal Assessor Christopher Keefe, who was fired by Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger in February following a disagreement over whether property tax bills for social clubs could be abated. Keefe later filed a lawsuit challenging his dismissal.

When he took office, Doup said he shared the mayor’s philosophy that the assessors' office is a service organization first and an enforcement agency second.

The mayor issued a statement Monday stating that Doup took over the assessors' department during a “difficult transition time” and oversaw a full city property revaluation that had not been done in 30 years.

“His department has created a user-friendly, customer service organization that would be the pride of any city,” Neffinger wrote. The mayor also stated that Deputy Assessor Randall Austin, who has been working with Doup, is “well equipped and knowledgeable to temporarily take over responsibility of the department.”

A widower, who lost his wife, Carol B. Beaver, in October 2011, Doup said working for the city was good for him.

“This filled a nice void in my life, coming here. It kept me busy and healing,” Doup said. “I have mixed feelings about leaving. I would like to stay, but I can’t afford to stay here. It is time to move on.”

Doup worked out arrangements with two social clubs, the Dante Club and Tatham Memorial Club Inc. to abate their taxes, 35 percent and 25 percent respectively. When Doup started the job a year ago, there were 88 appellate tax board cases filed against the city, something he said he whittled down to 20 through negotiations.

Doup, 56, said Monday that he is leaving the city’s employ for personal as well as financial reasons. He started work at $64,745 a year and leaves at the rate of about $70,000 a year.

The departing official said he wants to return to his private appraising business HD Appraisals-Realty, which he has owned for the last 27 years.